Wiikey install

Hey I just bought a wiikey and had a couple questions before I started to install it. I plan on using 28 or 34 awg bus bar wire and .077 solder and was wondering if that would work cause I notice most sites use .022 solder.

Also I was wondering what temperature I should use my iron at I have a 50W variable temp one I was thinking about 550 to 600

30 awg Kynar wire is the way to go. Its strong and flexible and only need about a foot. I just used a cheepo soldering iron (15w). As for the solder, I had a very thick one so I just practiced a bit and it worked out fine. Practice is the key!

I recall, finding the kynar wire around town was difficult. So I just opened an Ebay account and bought a couple feet worth online.

15w iron

I think your method of soldering should really depend on your soldering experience. If you know what you are doing, go with whatever you are comfortable with (within reason). I personally have never soldered anything in my life, so I was a bit nervous. I did practice melting the solder and applying it to different things. My friend recommended I use some flux, however I didn't like it... perhaps I was using it wrong but it didn't seem to help me. Anyway here is what I used:

Initially I had some solder that was about twice as thick, but it was just too big for me so I got the thinner stuff. I also had a 50w soldering iron that seemed too hot, it was actually melting the contact points on the wiikey which got me freaked so i decided to invest a couple bucks into the lower wattage soldering iron and thinner solder. After I had the right materials (and remember I am a novice) it only took me about 15 minutes to solder everything.

Oh, and one last thing, I didn't use any wire, I bought some 22 gauge wire from Home Depot but ended up not using it. In my mind it was easier without!

1. Electronics/solder expand and contract with temperature, this will happen every time you turn on/off the wii. Direct solder of the chip to 5+ locations on the Wii may increase the risk of some bad connections in the future?

2. Removing the chip is easier and cleaner with a wire connection. (who knows if this will be necessary due to wii firmware tricks and if modchips can not be upgradable?

I have had my Wii on for a maximum of 11 hours straight in 104 degrees farenheit weather. I don;t think there are any issues with expanion, unless you do a REALLY sloppy solder job. As for necessity of removal, doubt that is going to bbe necessary. They might ban you from the wifi network, but if they make a newer firmware render your wii unusable it's only a matter of time before they do an update for the chip. I have had a modded xbox, ps2 and ps1, none of which had any issues, ever. You also aren't going to be using so much wire (in my mind) to make much of a difference, the chip has to be pretty close to the board in order for everything to fit. Anyway, just my 2 cents. Really wasn't that hard for me who, again, has never really soldered before. If you are not confident, use wires, or better yet, get someone else to do it. Part of the fun for me was actually learning how to do it. I am not rich, but it's only 200 bucks... worth learning how to chip it for future endeavors

Electronics (solder) will expand and contract with temperature. At constant temperature, lets say at 104 F, it doesn't matter. Its the changing of temperature Off to On that causes movement in the electronics. Mod chip is rigid and connected at 5+ positions to another rigid board (wii). Over time, that may cause a bad connection if the solder joint is not applied correctly.

I'm not an expert in soldering, so just using 30 awg kynar wire is simple. Plus, if you have problems with the wii (semi bricking, firmware problems, etc...), then you will question... is it the chip? with wires its easy to remove/re-install the chip at will for troubleshooting.

Use logical means if you don't want to take a trip out to radioshack for wire ask yourself the following

Do you have a small piece of cat5 Ethernet cable? If so cut a 1inch strip then expose the wires unwrap them take a single wire strand and slice it exposing only the 8 hairline copper wires take on of these fine but strong strands and use them to make your connections to the wiikey. This is how I did it works like a champ.

When Applying solder use flux then just keep dabbing the solder over the connection point eventually it will begin to stick and pull back slowly the results will be a perfect

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